Nutrition

ACF-Kenya, M. Francia

A key threat to child survival worldwide — severe acute malnutrition — has a cure. We know when and where it is likely to strike, and can restore severely malnourished children to health. Yet today, malnutrition is responsible for nearly half of all child deaths. We work to help children reach healthy adulthood, and to contribute to the growth of productive families and nations.

Action Against Hunger’s methods for identifying and rescuing populations afflicted with acute malnutrition are internationally renowned, having pioneered revolutionary nutrition products and field tested treatment protocols that have become industry standards.

From rural mountain villages to the confines of refugee camps to ethnically divided cities, Action Against Hunger treats and prevents malnutrition in over 45 countries around the world. Our programs are launched most often during times of crisis and focus on the most vulnerable, including young children and women who are pregnant or nursing.

What We Do

Evaluate Nutritional Needs

To assess the root causes of a malnutrition outbreak, we collect baseline data on key nutritional indicators like local capacities and resources, cultural practices, infrastructure, and geography. These nutrition surveys are essential for mounting an effective, customized response.

Treat Acute Malnutrition

We treat cases of severe acute malnutrition with inpatient care (for those with medical complications) and with community-based, outpatient programs. Without treatment severely malnourished women and children would likely face imminent death.

Prevent Acute Malnutrition

Our prevention activities provide Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods to patients discharged from therapeutic care, children with moderate acute malnutrition, and children in communities faced with seasonal hunger. Prevention can save millions of lives while long-term solutions are developed.

Build Local Capacity

We strengthen public health systems to combat malnutrition. We field teams that consist overwhelmingly of local staff and integrate our programs into existing health structures. When crises subside, we ensure local capacity is in place to support continued improvements in communities’ nutritional health.

Nutrition Facts

At least 1 million malnourished children die every year because they lack access to the necessary treatment.

17 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, a deadly condition if not treated.

$45 can provide a full course of life-saving treatment for a malnourished child.

Our Impact in Nutrition

In 2013 alone, we treated 3.5 million people around the world for malnutrition and illness including: